The Origin of Squash

The origins of Squash date back to the early 19th century, in England.

Like tennis, badminton and pelotebasque, squash would be one of the descendants of the famous Palm Game.

The Palm was invented in France in the 13th century even some historians have been able to find variants of this Thursday in antiquity.

 

From the Apple Game to Squash

The Palm Game arrived in England in the 16th century under the name Court Tennis.

Then around 1850, they invented the game of rackets. This new game was played by several, using rackets and a leather ball but on a large field (18.21m – 9.08m) first outdoors and then covered.

In vogue at this time, the "rackets" is then practiced mainly by the English aristocracy and especially in the prestigious London institution, the "Harrow School"

It was on the walls of this large school that two students, waiting for their turn to play "rackets", had fun hitting the ball against the walls. They had just invented the basics of squash.

However, it will be necessary to wait for the creation of a hollow and soft rubber ball to switch from "rackets" to squash. The name "squash" is then given in reference to the sound of the ball hitting the wall (squashy = , soft).

 

Squash today

It is played by more than 40 million players worldwide including 200,000 in France in more than 300 clubs. The Ile de France region has 60 clubs, including 2 in the 16th arrondissement, the Stade Français and the Jeu de Paume de Paris.

Nowadays, Squash is managed by the WSF (World Squash Federation) internationally and by the FFS (French Squash Federation) in France. The professional circuit is managed by the PSA (Professional Squash Association).

1,000 players and professional players face off over 700 refereed tournaments for nearly $10 million in earnings. French squash has many great champions such as Thierry Lincou, Grégory Gaultier and Camille Serme.

France is ranked in 2021 third in the world, behind Egypt and England. The French Women's team is the reigning European Champion after its historic victory over England, which has more than 40 continental titles.

16 October 2023, a date that will forever remain etched in the history of squash since the IOC confirmed that it was part of the five sports added to the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.